Malacañang on Tuesday urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to exercise sobriety in the face of a supposed “zero remittance week” campaign being spearheaded by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte to coerce authorities into letting him come home.
The initiative, organized by the group Maisug Croatia in Europe, is set to run from March 28 to April 4 as a form of protest.
Participants intend to halt their remittances to the Philippines, a move intended to derail the national economy, as OFW remittances contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
However, the number of Maisug Croatia’s membership remains unclear, and whether there are enough of them to significantly affect the country’s remittance flow.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro acknowledged the concerns behind the campaign but emphasized the importance of upholding the law.
“Of course, we prefer that every Filipino remains calm on issues like this. The government is simply adhering to our laws,” Castro said.
She pointed out that complaints were formally filed against Duterte and urged the public to consider both sides fairly.
“There are also Filipinos who have filed complaints against former President Duterte. We hope people will be fair in their views to avoid the consequences of such actions,” Castro said.
Castro also warned those wishing to support the campaign, saying that their families, who rely on the financial support sent from abroad, would be most affected.
“If they withhold their remittances, it’s not only the government that will be impacted. Their families will be affected too,” she said.
The global remittance flow from OFWs remains a crucial lifeline for the Philippine economy, supporting millions of households and contributing billions of dollars annually.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Palace urges OFWs to calm down amid planned ‘zero remittance week’ protest.”